Mitt Romney promised a "united" Republican Party after scoring a decisive win over Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary Tuesday night, arguing that "a competitive primary does not divide us, it prepares us."

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TAMPA, Fla. -- Mitt Romney promised a "united" Republican Party after scoring a decisive win over Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary Tuesday night, arguing that "a competitive primary does not divide us, it prepares us."

"Ours will be a united party with a winning ticket for America," Romney told a cheering crowd of supporters gathered in Tampa, Fla. "I stand ready to lead this party and to lead this nation."

Romney's win was projected by FOX News Channel as the last polls in the Sunshine State closed at 8:00pm ET.

With over 80 percent of Florida's precincts reporting, Romney was leading with 47 percent of the vote, Gingrich followed with 32 percent, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum was third with 13 percent and Texas Rep. Ron Paul trailed in fourth place with seven percent.

After congratulating his opponents as "serious and able competitors," Romney focused his comments on President Barack Obama -- accusing him of threatening religious freedom, adopting a policy of appeasement and shrinking the nation's military.

"We still believe in the America that is the land of opportunity and a beacon of freedom," Romney said. "We believe in the America that challenges each of us to be bigger and better than ourselves. This election, let's fight for the America we love."

Romney's victory in Florida -- the largest state to hold a primary so far this election season -- resulted in him being awarded all of the state's 50 delegates.

The commanding victory restores Romney to his previous position as the presumed frontrunner for the nomination, which had been thrown into doubt by Gingrich's stunning victory in South Carolina on Jan. 21. It also validated the aggressive and negative strategy his campaign adopted toward Gingrich since that upset win.

Romney blanketed the state with $7 million in ads that painted Gingrich as an ethically-challenged Washington insider who resigned "in disgrace" from Congress and later profited off the housing crisis as an "influence peddler" for mortgage giant Freddie Mac. His attacks succeeded in muting Gingrich's usually-spirited performances during two Florida debates.

"He beat him by basically bombing him back into the stone age with negative advertising," FOX News senior political analyst Brit Hume said, referring to Romney's five-to-one spending advantage over Gingrich in the state.

Gingrich launched a forceful counter-attack, including an ad that said Romney would "mislead, distort and deceive" to win, but was unable to regain his flagging momentum.

During a speech to supporters in Orlando, Gingrich cast the Florida primary as just one battle in a long primary fight.

"It's now clear that this will be a two-man race between the conservative leader Newt Gingrich and the Massachusetts moderate," Gingrich said, as supporters held signs reading "46 States to Go."

"We are going to contest every place and we are going to win, and we will be in Tampa as the nominee in August," Gingrich said to cheers.

Paul and Santorum, meanwhile, did not compete aggressively in Florida – instead looking ahead to smaller primary and caucus states where expensive television advertising is less crucial for their success.

Santorum, who had already moved on to Nevada Tuesday night, addressed a small group of supporters in Las Vegas -- denouncing the "mud-slinging" between Romney and Gingrich. "Republicans can do better," he said.

He also sought to position himself as a better conservative alternative to Romney than Gingrich.

"In Florida, Newt Gingrich had his opportunity," Santorum said. "He came out of the state of South Carolina with a big win and a lot of money. He said he was gonna be the anti-Mitt. It didn't work."

"If you want a strong, principled conservative who's not going to be the issue -- who's going to make Barack Obama the issue in the campaign -- vote for me."